Latest Diablo 3 patch offers dueling without all the pain

Blizzard is hard at work on patch 1.0.7 for Diablo 3and revealed a preview of the changes it will include, the most notable of which is a dueling feature. In December Blizzard said it would work on a dueling system, though there was no word on how it would work. Today's preview solves some of that mystery: Dueling will be a safe environment for players to kick the crud out of each other, devoid of "the potential for griefing as it existed in Diablo 2," Blizzard writes.

Players who wish to duel must speak with Nek the Brawler at the inn in New Tristram, who will transport the party to the Scorched Chapel, a new area designed specifically for dueling. Scorched Chapel has four areas, the church, graveyard, river and lake, and supports up to four players in free-for-all battles. Dueling doesn't offer any rewards aside from bragging rights, and death in the dueling area isn't permanent, even for Hardcore players.

Other updates in patch 1.0.7 include class updates, crafting additions, monster power and affix changes, and quality of life improvements. Check out the entire preview list here.